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08.17.17

Freddie Freeman went 2-for-5 with a solo home run and a double during Thursday's win over Colorado.

Impact

The only thing to slow Freeman down this season was a fluky wrist injury that cost him 44 games. Even with the missed time, he's racked up 22 homers, 49 RBI and 58 runs with an elite .321/.421/.636 slash line. 2018 could be the season Freeman puts it all together and posts his true breakout campaign, so it's not out of the question to consider ponying up in keeper/dynasty settings now.

08.17.17

Josh Harrison went 3-for-5 with a two-run home run and three runs scored during the Pirates loss to the Cardinals on Thursday.

Impact

The bomb came in the first inning, striking an early blow to St. Louis pitcher Adam Wainwright and giving his team a 2-0 lead early in the matchup. It was his 13th home run of the season, which ties his career high set in 2014. His power numbers overall are up this season, as he's on pace to finish with a slugging percentage north of .400 for just the third time in his career.

08.17.17

Tyler Flowers went 1-for-4 with a solo home run during Thursday's win over Colorado.

Impact

It's been a surprising campaign from the 31-year-old backstop, as Flowers boasts a .293/.385/.459 slash line with 10 homers, 38 RBI and 38 runs. While he's splitting time with Kurt Suzuki behind the dish, Flowers checks out as a serviceable catcher for deeper fantasy settings. Just keep in mind that his part-time work caps his upside.

08.17.17

Ender Inciarte went 2-for-3 with two solo home runs and three runs scored during Thursday's win over Colorado.

Impact

The bombs snapped a 23-game homer drought, and he now sports double-digit home runs (10) and stolen bases (17) to go along with 42 RBI, 77 runs and a .300/.346/.408 slash line for the campaign. It's solid five-category production, and Inciarte projects to continue providing strong fantasy numbers hitting atop the Atlanta lineup.

08.17.17

Avisail Garcia (wrist) hopes to return to the lineup for Friday's game against the Rangers, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

Impact

Garcia was a late scratch Thursday due to some wrist soreness that had cropped up earlier in the day, but he told reporters that it had already improved by the end of Chicago's series opening loss to the Rangers. Provided that Garcia's wrist soreness continues to subside in the lead-up to first pitch Friday, he figures to rejoin the lineup. However, if the White Sox opt to give him an extra day off, look for Alen Hanson to take over in right field.

08.17.17

Seung Hwan Oh gave up two runs on three hits in the ninth inning of the Cardinal's win over the Pirates on Thursday.

Impact

In the team's first game since closer Trevor Resonthal (elbow) went to the disabled list, the ninth inning duties went to Oh. Though it wasn't a save situation, Oh allowed the Pirates to make things interesting after allowing two runs to score and load the bases with one out. While his strikeout numbers give him plenty of value, his shaky return to the ninth inning plus his three blown saves this season serves as a sign that Rosenthal's job at the end of games appears to be safe.

08.17.17

Charlie Blackmon went 3-for-5 with a solo home run, two RBI and two runs scored during Thursday's loss to Atlanta.

Impact

With 28 homers, 76 RBI and 111 runs, Blackmon is closing in on posting career-best marks in all three categories. Additionally maintaining his .335/.396/.620 slash line would also result in career highs in all three columns. Considering he has three home games ahead, it wouldn't be surprising to see a few personal bests achieved over the weekend.

08.17.17

Adam Wainwright gave up five runs in 3.0 innings Thursday against the Pirates but escaped with a no-decision.

Impact

Wainwright left with his team trailing 5-1, but his record remained unharmed after he watched his offense score nine unanswered runs before winning the game 11-7. It was Wainwright's second straight outing with no strikeouts, a sign that age has caught up to the Cardinals' 35-year-old former ace.

08.17.17

Dexter Fowler went 2-for-3, including his sixth triple of the season, with three runs batted in and three runs scored during Thursday's win over the Pirates.

Impact

The Cardinals offense exploded for 11 runs in the contest, and Fowler led the way by batting in or scoring six of them. Including his two walks, Fowler was able to get on base four times, the first game he's done that since July 21 against the Cubs.

08.17.17

Jeff Hoffman (6-5) allowed four runs on six hits and two walks while striking out a single batter through just 4.1 innings during Thursday's loss to Atlanta.

Impact

Hoffman allowed four home runs to the Braves, and he's now allowed 11 bombs through his past nine starts. His 5.30 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 7.2 K/9 are also underwhelming marks, and calling Coors Field home doesn't project to help Hoffman moving forward, either. There is upside for road contests, but being selective with his starts is encouraged. He lines up to face the Royals at Kauffman Stadium next.

08.17.17

Lucas Sims (1-3) allowed two runs on five hits and three walks while striking out two batters through five innings during Thursday's win over the Rockies.

Impact

After posting a respectable 3.75 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 10.3 K/9 through 115 innings with Triple-A Gwinnett, Sims had struggled to acclimatize to the highest level through his first three starts in the majors. Hitter-Friendly Coors Field didn't seem to faze the rookie Thursday, though, and the outing checks out an eye-opener for gamers. Still, the 23-year-old righty boasts an underwhelming 5.24 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 4.4 K/9 through four starts in the majors and will probably continue to offer limit upside. He projects to face the Mariners at SunTrust Park in his next start.

08.17.17

Chris Rowley allowed two runs on four hits and five walks while striking out three batters through five innings during Thursday's win over Tampa Bay. He didn't factor into the decision.

Impact

Rowley has now surrendered just three runs through 10.1 innings over his first two starts in the majors. His five walks were definitely concerning Thursday, and if he sticks in the rotation for another turn, he'll face the Rays again in his next start. Typically, that's not ideal for an inexperienced hurler. Additionally, Rowley's body of work is extremely limited after a 30-month stint in the U.S. Army interrupted his professional career. Outside of cavernous fantasy settings, it's probably wise to take a wait-and-see approach with Rowley.

08.17.17

Chris Archer allowed three runs on five hits while striking out 10 batters during Thursday's loss to Toronto. He didn't factor into the decision.

Impact

Despite allowing only 20 earned runs through his past eight starts, Archer has collected just a single win. He's up to an 11.2 K/9 for the season, and his 3.84 ERA and 1.22 WHIP are also strong marks, but he's been unlucky in the wins column with just eight victories for the campaign. Archer lines up to make his next start against the Blue Jays again, but this game will be at Tropicana Field.

08.17.17

Scott Feldman allowed six runs on seven hits while striking out just a single batter through 3.2 innings during Thursday's win over the Cubs. He didn't factor into the decision.

Impact

The 34-year-old veteran allowed three runs through just four innings to Milwaukee in his return from the disabled list last time out, and this was another abbreviated outing. Feldman allowed five home runs to the Cubs to open the flood gates after being handed a nine-run lead in the second inning. The righty sports a 4.77 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 7.5 K/9, so it's probably wise to be selective with his matchups and avoid him against daunting opponents in the immediate future. Feldman projects to face the Cubs again in his next start, but this time the game is at Great American Ball Park.

08.17.17

Jake Lamb went 1-for-4 with a solo home run during Thursday's win over Houston.

Impact

Lamb appears to be heating up of late with a five-game hitting streak, and he's now up to 26 homers, 93 RBI and 69 runs with a .266/.371/.535 slash line for the season. He's still sporting a disastrous .599 OPS against southpaws, which is important to note. However, he continues to crush right-handed pitchers and is locked into a juicy fantasy setup in the heart of Arizona's strong lineup.

08.17.17

Daniel Descalso went 1-for-4 with an inside-the-park home run during Thursday's win over Houston.

Impact

Descalso is a meat-and-potatoes middle infielder with a significantly low fantasy ceiling. He's sporting a .240/.340/.399 slash line for the campaign and probably doesn't warrant a roster spot outside of the deepest settings. However, he has been playing consistently, and there is value in volume in cavernous leagues. Being attached to a strong lineup doesn't hurt, either.

08.17.17

Jason Kipnis went 3-for-5 with a solo home run, two RBI and two runs scored during Thursday's afternoon win over Minnesota.

Impact

Kipnis went 0-for-4 in the evening game of the doubleheader and now sports a disappointing .228/.286/.405 slash line for the season. He's been limited to just 74 games because of multiple injuries, and his production when healthy hasn't been up to the standard of years past. Still, with Cleveland in contention and running out a strong lineup, Kipnis remains in position to succeed with the potential to finish 2017 strong.

08.17.17

Dellin Betances will not be available to pitch in Friday's game against the Red Sox, Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports.

Impact

The Yankees had to turn to Betances in a save situation Thursday with Aroldis Chapman ailing, but the club is hoping to have Chapman back for Friday's series opener. Regardless, manager Joe Girardi will avoid using Betances to prevent having him take the mound two days in a row. Look for Betances to be available if needed as early as Saturday.

08.17.17

Byron Buxton went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and two runs scored during Thursday's loss to Cleveland in the afternoon game of their doubleheader.

Impact

The center fielder also scored a run in the second game of day, and now sports a .234/.305/.334 slash line for the season. Until Buxton can cut down his strikeout percentage (29.5), it'll be difficult for him to live up to his potential. This could prove to be a buy-low opportunity, as he's still just 23 years old and owns the power-speed upside coveted in all fantasy settings.

08.17.17

Robbie Grossman (thumb) was placed on the disabled list Thursday and is expected to be sidelined for three weeks, Phil Miller of the Star Tribune reports.

Impact

The Twins have yet to announce a corresponding move, but there are a number of viable outfielders in the system from which to choose. Manager Paul Molitor laid out a three-week timetable for Grossman, adding that throwing will be the biggest challenge he faces en route to a return. Still, a three-week timetable will allow Grossman to get back on the field for the better part of September.